This show always had strong sociological and psychological aspects to it which were the reasons I watched. How do people emotionally survive and what type of societies exist in an apocalyptic world?
The Commonwealth is unnecessarily classist which the leader decided to continue because she was a part of the elite and enjoyed her position. I don't get the impression racism and sexism are issues.
Realistically, there is no need for anyone to be poor since there are so few people left on the planet. Everyone should be able to live well, but it's all about ego and status. I'm enjoying this theme.
On a similar note, I watched a reality show in which families lived in the 1800 frontier days. There was one man who had been rich back home, but failed miserably since his skills didn't transfer on the prairie. He struggled and was basically poor. I found his descent interesting since it showed how you can thrive in one society and fail in another. Daryl and Carol were struggling before the virus, but are thriving now.
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joej2923 (3021)
3 years ago
I always liked the show when it was a group fighting zombies and villains from other groups. This story arc in the commonwealth focuses on inequality in the commonwealth.
I thought the dress code issue might have been racism since a lot of people complain that dress codes discriminate against people of color. The fact that the show is making a story arc about classism demonstrates the writers commitment to social justice issues like classism, racism, sexism and other -isms. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Marxist revolution happening in the commonwealth.
The whole concept of poverty should not exist in a post-apocalyptic world. In the first part of this season, the group had to raid the Reapers to find food for survival. The second part of the season has a woman griping about not getting wine. When a person is in survival mode, they are looking for basic needs like food, water and shelter. The show has switched from a zombie fighting show to a show about the struggle for class equality.
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Keelai (34858)
3 years ago
Don't forget Princess is poor so she can't afford a fancy dress that is haute couture.
The Commonwealth isn't struggling. They're needlessly introducing struggle in order to create a class conscious society. There is no Marxism. Everyone wants an opportunity to move up and this society likely doesn't provide that.
There will be plenty of fighting in the future. Our group ALWAYS manages to destroy whatever society they join and become the new leaders. Walkers will likely overtake the place at some point.
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joej2923 (3021)
3 years ago
I wouldn't think the concept of poverty would exist in a post-apocalyptic world without a formal economy. I didn't read the comics but it does look like Rick Grimes led some sort of an uprising to have some sort of democracy.
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/what-is-the-commonwealth-on-the-walking-dead-comics-explained/
The Marxism comment was speculation on my part. The comic book commonwealth did have a class system. I'm just hoping that the show remains faithful to the plot of the comic books and does not distort it to make a social justice message. I don't think the original group has a leader anymore. Maggie was rising up to be a leader but she's been a bit unhinged since she returned.
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Keelai (34858)
3 years ago
The Commonwealth created a formal economy by introducing money aka: U.S. dollars. If Rick introduced democracy, then it sounds like the Commonwealth is an oligarchy.
Most of the past groups they encountered focused on only violent warfare so this is a change that I welcome.
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